Wanaka Wedding DJ
The Groove Merchant
Wanaka rewards a certain kind of attention. The light comes off the lake late into the evening, guests drift outdoors between courses and with The Groove Merchant on task, the music knows when to follow and when to lead.
Exceptional venues and dramatic high country backdrops command both experience and instinct, call it a local's intuition.
The venues
The Rippon Hall, with the vineyard falling away toward Ruby Island and the Southern Alps behind it, is among the finest rooms in the country to play. Edgewater, on the lakefront, provides all that is required to curate the celebration you have long dreamed of.
Glendhu Station puts you in the heart of the high country.
Lookout Lodge looks out to the dramatic alpine vista of Mount Gold and the changing skies above.
Each venue holds distinct character and Central Otago prestige, always inspiring and coaxing the grooves that move.
Every kind of celebration
A traditional Hindu wedding at Edgewater Resort remains one of the most memorable weddings we have been involved with.
A vibrant day of colour, high spirit and meticulous attention to detail.
Multi-day celebrations, careful ritual and ceremony, three generations moving together, an absolute pleasure to be part of.
The Full Day Package
Ceremony through to the last song, one continuous soundtrack. Acoustic familiarity before vows. Colour and warmth through dinner and speeches. By dessert the room turns, and the dance-floor begins to come alive.
Disco, funk, soul, eighties and nineties, house classics, singalongs and high emotional crescendos shared with family, friends and children.
Choose from Dancefloor, Reception & Dancefloor, Full Wedding or Full Wedding + Production.
Planning your wedding
How far ahead should we book?
Most bookings for a November-to-March wedding come through between August and the end of November. Prime Saturdays in January and February go first. If your date's in that stretch and you're reading this in spring, it's worth checking sooner rather than later.
Do you MC?
Not as a full MC. That's a distinct craft and worth hiring properly if you want one. What's included is mic support: announcements, cueing the formalities and keeping the running order moving, so nothing stalls between courses. If you've got a friend or family member MCing, that works well and they'll be supported all night.
Can we send playlists, requests and a do-not-play list?
All of it's welcome. Send a list of what you love, a list of what you can't stand, and any songs that matter: first dance, a track that means something to a parent, whatever it is. The do-not-play list gets honoured without exception; there's no argument about it on the night.
Requests on the night are fine too. In practice most of what a couple asks for is already coming, because the whole job is reading what the room needs next. What you're hiring is the judgement about when: the right song at the wrong moment empties a floor.
"He understood the assignment and played everything we wanted and was just a great guy."
Georgie & Clancy Western - Rippon Hall, Wanaka
"We are so grateful for Tom's music at our wedding, everyone had such a good time dancing all night, it was beyond our expectations, thank you so much!"
Dan & Erica - Rippon Hall, Wanaka